Vitamin D may be protective against COVID-19 and deficiency could partially explain why black Americans are dying from the virus at a higher rate, according to an article written by Dr. Vatsal G. Thakkar and published Thursday by the Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Thakkar cites a recent research article, “The Role of Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 Patients and Associated Mortality,” as well as other evidence showing the various health benefits of Vitamin D, risks of deficiency, and impacts of supplementation for African Americans in particular. The recently published data found that Italy, Spain and France, the countries with the highest mortality rates from coronavirus, also had the lowest average vitamin D levels.

“Vitamin D is produced by a reaction in the skin to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight,” Dr. Thakker wrote. “Many Americans are low in vitamin D, but those with darker skin are at a particular disadvantage because melanin inhibits the vitamin’s production. As an Indian-American, my skin type is Fitzpatrick IV, or “moderate brown.” Compared with my white friends, I need double or triple the sun exposure to synthesize the same amount of vitamin D, so I supplement with 5,000 international units of vitamin D3 daily, which maintains my level in the normal range. Most African-Americans are Fitzpatrick type V or VI, so they would need even more.

“Black Americans are also twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes as whites. Here, too, we find an immune connection. Insulin resistance, the harbinger of Type 2 diabetes, appears linked to high levels of circulating cytokines, the same pro-inflammatory proteins implicated in Covid-19 mortality.”

Click here to find the article from the Wall Street Journal (paywall).

SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can’t say in your tanning salon business.

© 2020 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.